This is our Blog about our Lives and Times on the Costa Tropical of Granada Province in Spain.

Sunday, 4 November 2012

Scotland’s referendum causes panic in Spanish government ..........

By David Eade

In an article in Panorama on October 5 David Eade told of how he got to talking to
one young politician by the name of Hadleigh Roberts at the Labour
Party Conference.

Hadleigh Roberts is a linguist and his skills saw him working in the Parti Socialiste
offices in southern France. He was also a staffer on Axelle Lemaire’s
campaign to be elected as the PS MP for the French overseas
constituency, which stretches from the UK to the North Pole. He is
committed to Europe and spoke at conference on this theme.

TWO QUESTIONS

David Eade went on to say that he was asked two questions that Hadleigh Roberts had been putting to
people he met.
There is a possibility that after the referendum Scotland
could leave the United Kingdom. If that is the case then treaties that
are binding to the UK would not be valid for Scotland. This would mean
if Scotland wished to be a member of the European Community it would
have to apply for membership in its own right.

The first question was: would the UK government object to Scotland
joining the EC?The second question was this: would Spain block
Scotland’s membership?

Well, as David Eade said, he never saw the second one
coming but Hadleigh explained, Spain might black ball Scotland’s
application because it would not want the Scots to set a precedent for
the Catalans or indeed the Basques making a similar application.

Leaving the first question aside, David Eave's response to the second question was that he did not believe Spain would interfere in a political matter
that revolved around the remainder of the UK and a newly independent
Scotland.

Reverting to the first person singular, he says, ' I was wrong'.

'I did not appreciate what a panic the UK’s decision to allow Scotland a
referendum on independence in 2014 would cause amongst the Spanish
Partido Popular Government in Madrid.

The Basque’s in their regional government elections the Sunday before
last returned both the two Nationalists parties with huge majorities
over PSOE and the Partido Popular.
They want out.

Next up on November 25
is the Catalan regional election which again the nationalists are
expected to win. If they do, they will hold a referendum on independence
next year.

Against this scenario Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel
Garcia-Margallo, has been speaking out. He stated the “right to
secession is not recognised in any of the constitutions of the EU” and
hence neither the Basques nor the Catalans can follow Scotland’s lead
and try to leave Spain.
He also argues that any such move is against the
UN Charter and EU Treaty.

Spain’s premier Mariano Rajoy warned the Basques during their regional
elections they would be isolated outside of Spain and the EU if they
went independent.
The same message has been delivered by his PP
hench people to the Catalans.

Garcia-Margallo commented that in the UK sovereignty resided with
Parliament and it was Parliament that had authorised that the Scottish
people could leave the Union if they decided “to navigate their own
course”.
He added that a referendum held without the approval of the
British Parliament would have been illegal and have had no effect on
Europe.
Spain’s Constitution does not allow for any such referendum.

Now comes the key bit of the Spanish Foreign Minister’s argument. He
says that if Scotland opts for independence then it will be outside of
the EU and have to go to the end of the queue for membership. To finally
achieve that membership it will have to obtain the backing of all
member states. Hence there will be no fast track for Scotland and by
implication Spain would block any attempt for special treatment. In all
likelihood Spain would veto Scotland’s EU membership as it would be
terrified that independent Basque and Catalan states would attempt to
follow in its footsteps.

ANGRY REACTION

This pitches Spain into the debate over Scottish independence.
Madrid
may not have anticipated the angry reaction this will generate from
Edinburgh.
Certainly an independent Scotland will not sit quietly by
whilst the Partido Popular interferes in its future status.
Also when
the question of Scotland’s future membership of the EU is debated
between now and 2014 expect the SNP to come out fighting against Madrid.
Rajoy and the Partido Popular had a fight on their hands with the
Basques and the Catalans: now they can add the Scots too and indeed the
British Government.

Cortijo Azahar

Country House With Wifi In Secluded lush, scented, Sub-tropical Gardens, Luxury large Pool,
Relaxing, Romantic, near to Beaches, Close to Bars and Restaurants and all amenities. Pets welcomed.
Sleeps 7 in 3 Bedrooms.
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